WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and neighboring Uganda a public health emergency of international concern after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths. The outbreak does not meet criteria for a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, and WHO advised against closing international borders. WHO reported a laboratory-confirmed case in Kinshasa, about 1,000 kilometers from the eastern epicenter in Ituri, after the patient visited Ituri. Additional suspected cases were reported in North Kivu, which borders Ituri. Ebola spreads through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, and semen, and is rare but severe and often fatal. The declaration aims to accelerate coordinated international support. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola variant with no approved therapeutics or vaccines.
"The World Health Organization declared the Ebola disease outbreak caused by a rare virus in Congo and neighboring Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday, after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths. The WHO said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like COVID-19, and advised against the closure of international borders. The WHO said on X that a laboratory-confirmed case has also been reported in Congo's capital, Kinshasa, which is about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the outbreak's epicenter in the eastern province of Ituri, suggesting a possible wider spread."
"Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal. The WHO's emergency declaration is meant to spur donor agencies and countries into action. By the WHO's standards, it shows the event is serious, there is a risk of international spread and it requires a coordinated international response."
"Health authorities say the current outbreak, first confirmed on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in Congo and Uganda, this is only the third time the Bundibugyo virus has been detected. Congo accounts for all except two of the cases, both of which were reported in Uganda, the WHO said."
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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